The Reiki Precepts
The very basis of Mikao Usui’s teachings begin with the Precepts, referred to in Japan as The Gokai, which were given to his students to follow. Precepts are a moral instruction which have been used for centuries by Buddhists and serve as a daily reminder of how to live, using these precepts as a guideline. Usui’s precepts are indeed based on a set of precepts dating from the 9th century and are the very core of Usui Reiki, thereby making them an integral and important part of the whole system. Usui introduced these Precepts as a way to bring change into the daily lives of his students. He required his students to meditate on these words in the morning and at night so that the meaning of the words deepened within them and helped them on their spiritual path.
The Precepts are as follows:
- Kyo dakewa – (Just for today)
- Ikaru na (Do not anger)
- Shinpai suna (Do not worry)
- Kansha shite (Be grateful)
- Gyo o hagame – (Work with diligence)
- Hito ni shinsetsu ni – (Be kind to others)
Remember that Just for today brings us into the present moment, not yesterday or tomorrow. When we bring ourselves into the present moment, the precepts become so much easier to achieve.
Just for today, do not anger and Just for today do not worry remind us that our energy is better spent feeling positive and loving, than being angry or in a constant state of worry. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get angry or worry, however by remembering this precept, we can put some perspective on a situation.
Just for today, be grateful reminds us to be grateful for all the good things we have in our lives. So many people on this planet have so little. Being grateful can also mean that other people can show us a better way of doing something and we should be thankful to them.
Just for today, work with diligence allows us to feel good about ourselves and to earn trust and respect from those around us. It also allows us to be honest with ourselves, which is very important.
Just for today, be kind to others reminds us that to take care of others, we must first learn how to look after ourselves. This Precept allows us to forgive ourselves, accept that we may not be perfect and then extend that same awareness to all others.
When used in conjunction with mindfulness, (being present and aware of ourselves), it becomes easy to live by these guidelines. As a student of Reiki, it is recommended that you display these precepts in a place you will see them daily, as a visual reminder to yourself to begin to live by them.
To view the Precepts spoken in Japanese, please use this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXaHW91L7XM
